PFF announces signing of MoU with Saudi Arabian Football Federation

Published October 22, 2025
PFF President Mohsen Gilani (R) and SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal (L). — Photo via Pakistan Football Federation
PFF President Mohsen Gilani (R) and SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal (L). — Photo via Pakistan Football Federation

The Pakistan Football Federation on Tuesday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

“This landmark partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as coach development, talent identification, women’s football, and youth football,” the PFF said in a statement.

“Through this collaboration, both federations will exchange technical expertise and best practices to accelerate the growth of the sport across the region.”

The PFF added that the agreement will help it build a “more connected future” with SAFF.

The MoU was signed by recently-elected PFF president Mohsen Gilani and SAFF president Yasser Al Misehal.

In November 2023, the Haroon Malik-led PFF Normalisation Committee — whose term ceased to an end after the elections were held this year — had also signed an MoU with SAFF.

Apart from a tour for the women’s football team and a friendly match between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, nothing else of note took place on the other areas of the arrangement including “marketing, referees, youth football, sports science and football-related technologies”.

Saudi Arabia was confirmed in December last year as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

It will also host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, among other events.

Opinion

Editorial

Some progress
Updated 24 May, 2026

Some progress

Pakistan deserves credit for helping preserve diplomatic space, but also must avoid appearing aligned with coercive pressure from any side.
Chinese market
24 May, 2026

Chinese market

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip to China presents an opportunity to rebalance Pakistan’s economic...
Harvesting humans
24 May, 2026

Harvesting humans

ORGAN brokers have for too long preyed on desperation to rake it in. The odious trade — among the most harmful...
More stabilisation
Updated 23 May, 2026

More stabilisation

The stabilisation achieved through painful growth compression steps could have been used as a platform for structural reforms.
Appalling tactics
23 May, 2026

Appalling tactics

IN Punjab, an encounter with the law can quickly turn deadly. Encouraged by a culture of ‘shoot first, ask...
Failed experiment
23 May, 2026

Failed experiment

IT is going from bad to worse for Shan Masood and Pakistan. It is now seven successive Test defeats away from home;...